Collapsible crate.



No. 688,600. Patented, Dec. I0,- |901. R. E. L. CRUSBY.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

(Application Xed May 4, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 688,600. Patenfed Dec. I0, |90I. R. E. L. CROSBY.

oLLAPslBLE CRATE.

(Application led May 4, 1901.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

ROBERT E. L. CROSBY, OF SEARCY, ARKANSAS.

coLLAPslsLE CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 688,600, dated December 10, 1901. Application filed May 4,1901. Serial No. 58,818. (No model.)

T0 raf/Z whom, it may lcon/cern,.-

Beit known that I, RQBERTE, L. CROSBY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Searcy, in the county of W'hite and State of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improve-4 ments in Collapsible Crates, of which the following is a specification. y

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible crates. The object of the present invention is the provision of a crate of the character mentioned which is extremely simple in construction, but one possessing advantagesin point' of durability and strength, whereby when the crate is open and in the position for shipping purposes the parts thereof will be effectually maintained in the proper relation to each other, so that the contents thereof will be thoroughly protected.

A further object of the invention is to provide in the construction of a collapsible crate simple and efficient means for locking the parts thereof together both when the crate is extended and in the form for shipping purposes and when the same is collapsed to be returned to the shipper to be refilled and used again.

. With these general objects in view and others which will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood the invention consists, substantially, in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as Will be hereinafter fully described,

Aillustrated in the accompanying drawings,

and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a collapsible crate constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the crate. Fig.

v 4 is a similar view, the cover being removed.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the crate when collapsed. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view with the crate in a collapsed form. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective View of one corner of the crate to illustrate the fastening for the same. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the cornerfastening relnoved. Fig. l0 is an inverted plan view of the crate-cover to illustrate more clearly the manner in which thecornerfastenings are illustrating the manner of retaining the sey curing-studs in the crate ends.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates the base of the hereinabove-described crate, which baseis provided with sides 2 and ends 3, said sides and ends being suitably secured together and to the bottom 4 and being boundat their meeting portions with metallic corner-stays 5. Each of the ends 3 is provided with a longitudinally-extending cavity 6, and arranged upon each of said ends and extending over each of said cavities is a handle 7, by means of which the crate may be lifted. If desired, however, the cavities 6 may be in the form of openings extending entirely through the thickness of the ends 3.

Each of the ends 3, at its inner side and at each end thereof, is provided With slots or grooves S; l but it will be observed that said connection is such as to render the sides l0 capable 0f a vertically-slidable movement, which movement is limited by the length of the slots 8. By reason of the slots S being of greater width at their upper ends than attheir lower ends it will also be seen that the sides l0 are adapted to readily fold inwardly in a manner to be more fully stated hereinafter.

Arranged at the outer surface of the sides 10 and at their ends are vertically-disposed braces 11, the lower ends of said braces terminating a su lficient distance from the lower edges of the sides l0,so that said ends will rest upon the upperedges of thesides 2 when the sides l0 are in the position occupied by the same when the crate is in the form for shipping, and arranged at the upper edge of each of the sidesl@ and projecting thereabove is a longitudinally-extending brace 12. The brace 12 is dovetailed or otherwise suitably connected to the braces 1l, and metallic stays IOO 13 are employed for fastening the contiguous ends of thev braces 1l and 12. A metallic facing 14 is also arranged upon the upperedge of the brace l2 in order to protect the same from wear. The sides 10 are further provided at their exterior surfaces within the sides 2 of` the base with a series of openings or recesses 15, and said openings or recesses are adapted to receive a series of dowel-pins 16, projecting inwardly from the sides 2 of the hase 1. When the crate is in position for shipping purposes, the dowels 16 tit within the openings 15, and the vbraces 1l, resting upon the sides 3, impart to the sides 10 a sufficient rigidity to withstand the usual shock incident to handling, as if firmly nailed to the base.

The numeral 17 designates the ends ot the crate, which ends fit between the sides 10, and each of said ends is provided atits lower edge with aseris of loops 18, which surround a journal-bar 19, arranged upon the inner surface of the bottom' 4,'a7nd which journalbars are mounted in the sides 2 ot' the base 1.

rItis thus evident that the ends 17 have a swinging connection over the base l, so that the same maybe readily positioned either in collapsing the crate oi" when extending the latter to provide the shipping form. Arranged at each side edge of the ends 17 is an outwardly-directed angle-iron 20, one flange of which is embedded'and secured within the end 17, while its other `flange is spaced from said end, and arranged upon each end of the sides 10 is a similar angle-iron 21. The angleirons21 are reversely arrangedwith relation to theangle-irons 20, one flange of each of the irons 21l being suitably secured tothe sides 10, while the other flange is spaced a suflicient distancev therefrom to receive the adjacent flanges of the irons 20, and it will thus be seen that when the crate is extended the irons 2O and 2l are adapted to interlock, and thus provide a firm joint between the sides 10 and the ends 17. 'lo maintain the 'ends 10 and 17 in their locked position,said ends are provided at .their inner faces with pivot-latches 22, the

free ends of said latches projecting beyond the adjacent edges of the ends 17 and being received by grooves 23, formed in the adjacent port-ions of the sides 10.

The numeral 24 designates the cover of the crate, and said cover is of suiticientwidth to snugly it between the projecting upper edges ot the longitudinal braces 12. The ends of the cover 24 are provided with metallic facings 25, While the under side of said cover is like- Wise provided with metallic strips 26, arranged in proximity to the overlapping portions of the facings 25. Each corner of the under side of the cover 24 is recessed, as at 27, and arranged within said recesses 27 and pivoted between the ends of the strips 26 and the adjacent portions of the cover 24 is a series of corner-fastenings 28. Each of said fastenings is provided with a depending annular ange 29, which ange is adapted to embrace the outer sides of the sides 10 and ends 17, and in order that this may be accomplished the sides 10 Within the upper ends of the strips 11 are provided with horizontallyarranged slots 30. The slots 30 are adapted to receive the body portions of the fastenings 28, and when said fastenngs are in such positions the depending flanges 29 embrace the sides 10 and ends 17 in the manner stated. This provides a firm connection between said sides and ends and the cover 24; butin order that the latter may be further locked in engagement with said sides and ends the cover is provided at its upper face with a series of locking-hooks 31, pivotally mounted within depressions or recesses 32, the hooks 31 being adapted to pass beneath elevation 14 in the metallic facings 14 and engage the securing pins vor nails '14 employed for Amaintaining said strips upon the braces 12. Itis also desirable when the crate is'extended to seal the cover thereon, and in order that this may be permitted each of the ends 17 is provided at its central portion with an-upwardly-extending stud 33. 'lhe ends of said stud are grooved, the groove at the lower end receiving a securing-staple 34, and by means ofthe staples 34 the studs'33 are held within the ends 17. The upper ends of the studs 33 project through centrally-arranged apertures 35, formed in the cover 24, the upper portions of said apertures being counte'rsunk to provide an enlarged annular space around the projecting portions andthe studs 33. This space is designed to be filled with lead, and when the latter is deposited within the apertures 34 the same enters the grooves in the ends'of the studs 33, and thereby seals the cover 24 in position. A suitable die may be employed for impressing the lead within the countersinks with the initials of the sender of the crate. This seals the crate ready for shipment and guards against its being opened in transit.

A removable partition 36 is arranged at a point within the crate Imidway its ends, said partition being provided at its side edges with outwardly-extending guide -strips 37, and said strips are received by metallic grooves 38, embedded in the inner sides of the sides 10.v It will thus be seen that the guides 37 and the metallic grooves 38 provide av strong connection between the removable partition 36 and the sides lOv and at the same time provide such a connection as to permit the partition 36 being readily removed and replaced When desired.

In order to lock the cover 24 upon the base 1 when the crate is collapsed, a series of locking-bolts 39 is arranged in each of the ends3 of said base, the upper ends of said bolts being curved and adapted to embrace the upper surface of the cover 24 when the latter is positioned upon the base. When IOO IIO

the crate is extended,-however, the curved ends of the bolts 39 are received by a series of openings 40, formed in the ends 17, the bolts 39 being rotatably mounted in the ends 3, so as to be moved into position to overlap the cover 24 or to be turned from such position in order to permit the cover 24 being applied to the base 1 and folding of the ends 17 inward.

With the elementsassembled ,in the relation illustrated and described it will be seen that the crate may be readily collapsed by simply removing the partition 36, after which the latches 22 are swung from engagement with the notches 23, whereupon the ends 17 may be swung inwardly upon the bottom 4 of the base l. The sides l0 are then moved up- Wardlyand with the studs 9 as pivot-points are readily folded upon the ends 17.l The partition 36 is then placed upon the folded sides, and when the corner-fastenings 28 have been swung into the closed position under the cover 24 the latter is placed upon the base 1 and the bolts 39 turned to engage the ends of the same. The crate is then firmly held in collapsible position and may be readily handled. To extend the crate, however, the cover 24 is removed, the sides 10 opened to the vertical position, the ends 17 also swung open, the latches 22 being engaged with the sides l0, and after this the partition 36 is inserted in the same, if desired. After the crate has been llled wit-h the desired contents for shipping'the cover 24 is placed thereon, and after this has been accomplished the cornerfastenings 28 are swung into the slots 30. The locking-hooks 31 are also engaged with the braces 12, and the studs 33 are sealed within the apertures 35 by means of lead, as before described, and after this has been done the crate is ready for shipping.

While the form of the invention herein shown and described is what is believed to be a preferable embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to, and the right is therefore reserved to modify or vary the construction of the invention as falls within the spiritand scope thereof. i

The crate is adapted for many uses-such as shipping eggs, fruit, canned goods of all kinds, boots and shoes, coffee, tea, dry goods, and various other wares and merchandise which require a strong crate-and it will also be observed that the crate possesses advantages i n point of simplicity and durability. The crate may be constructed at small cost and may be used indefinitely. It may be constructed of wood and metal or of paper and metal or of metal alone or such other material as may be best adapted to the character of articles or merchandise desired to be shipped.

The crate may be made in different sizes, so that one of a large size when set up will hold a definite number of a smaller size collapsed, thus facilitating the transportation of the empty crates in a collapsed condition, and thus lessen the cost of transporting the empty crates.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A crate comprising a base consisting of a bottom, sides, and ends having cornerfgrooves and rigidly secured together, journal-bars sey cured to the sides over the bottom adjacent to and rigidly secured together, journal-bars securedlto the sides over the bottom adjacent to the ends, folding ends having loops whereby they are hinged to the journal-bars, folding sides having studs engaging in the cornergrooves of the ends of the base,vertical braces secured to the outer sides of the folding sides so as to seat on the sides of the base, longitudinal braces arranged on the folding sides and fitted to the vertical braces, and a cover closing the crate in its extended or collapsed condition. v

3. A cratecomprising a base consisting of a bottom, sides, and ends having corner-grooves and rigidly secured together, journal-bars secured to the sides over the bottom and adja cent to the ends, folding ends having loops whereby they are hinged to the journal-bars, folding sides having studs engaging in the corner-grooves of the ends of the base, vertical braces secured to the outer sides of the folding sides so as to seat on the sides of the base, longitudinal braces arranged on the folding sides and litted to the vertical braces, metal stays fastening the contiguous ends of the vertical and longitudinal braces, metal facing on the longitudinal braces, and a cover closing the crate in its extended and collapsed condition.

1. A crate comprising a base consisting of a bottom, sides having inwardly projecting doWel-pins, and ends having corner-grooves and rigidly secured together, j ournal-bars secured to the sides over the bottom adjacent to the ends, folding ends having loops where by they are hinged to the journal-bars, fold ing sides having studs engaging in the cor nergrooves of the ends of the base,and. formed with series of openings in which the dowelpins are received, and a cover for closing the crate in its extended and collapsed condition.

5. A crate comprising a base, consisting of a bottom sides,and ends having corner-grooves and rigidly secured together, j ournal-bars secured to the sides over the bottom adjacent to the ends, folding ends having loops whereby they are hinged to the journal-bars, and provided with angle-Sirens, folding sides having studs engaging in the corner-grooves of the ends of the base and provided with angleirons with which the angle-irons on the fold ICO ing ends interlock, and a cover closing the crate in its extended or collapsed condition.

6. A crate comprising a base consisting of a bottom, sides,and ends having corner-grooves and rigidly secured together, journalbars secured to the sides over the bottom adjacent to the ends, folding ends having loops Wherelby they are hinged to the journal-bars, and provided with pivoted latches, folding sides having studs engaging in the corner-grooves of the ends of the base and formed with grooves withwhich the pivoted latches engage, and a cover closing the crate in its extended or collapsed condition.

7. A crate comprising a base consisting ofa bottom ,sides,and ends,havin g corner-grooves and rigidlysecured together, journal-bars secured to the sides over the bottom and adjacent to the ends, folding ends having loops whereby they are hinged to the journal-bars, folding sides havingk studs engaging in the corner-grooves of the ends of the base, and

provided with corner-slots, and a cover closing the crate having corner-recesses on its under side and corner-fastenings each formed with a depending flange and pivoted in the corner-recesses.

8. A crate comprising a base consisting of a bottom, sides,and ends having corner-grooves and rigidly secured together, j ournal-bars secnredto the sides over the bottom adjacent tothe ends, folding ends having loops whereby they are hinged to the journal-bars, folding sides havi-ng studs engaging in the corner-grooves of the ends of the base, and provided with metal facings having elevations, securing-pins extending through the elevations, and a cover closing the crate having depressions in the top thereof and lockinghooks pivoted in the depressions and adapted to pass beneath the elevations and engage the securing-pins.

9. A crate comprising a base consisting of a bottom, sides,and ends having corner-grooves and rigidly secured togethen, the lockingbolts having inwardly-curved upper ends and secured in the ends, journal-bars secured to the sides over the bottom adjacent tothe f ends, folding ends having loops whereby they are hinged to the journal-bars and formed with openings receiving the curved ends of the locking-bolts, folding sides having studs engaging thecorner-grooves of the ends of the base, and a cover closing the crate in its extended or collapsed condition.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ROBERT E. L. CROSBY. 

